Chiang Mai Ultra Trail Challenge Route

Distance: 64.5 kilometers

Elevation: 3190m

Difficulty: Expert

What to expect on this trail?

This ultra trail distance route is an amazing challenge for any trail runner in Chiang Mai. Be aware that it is an A to B route, not a loop like most routes we feature in our database. This ultra trail shows some of Chiang Mai’s most epic viewpoints and villages while at the same time offering a wide variety of trail types. The distance is long, some parts are technical and there is a good amount of elevation to conquer. It speaks for itself that this route is only for experienced runners.

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Chiang Mai Ultra Trail Challenge Route in detail

As this route is a bit longer, prepare for a bit more reading than usual! As mentioned in the summary, the route is A to B, so you will need a bit of organization to get to the starting point, and a transfer at the endpoint. We recommend starting early in order to avoid the heat of the day as much as possible.

The route starts at Wat Mae Aen in Mae Rim district. It is a local temple with some parking spaces, and toilets inside. However, if you start early as we did (we started at 4.30 am), the temple will be closed. From the temple, you will head into the Backcountry of Mae Rim, a really cool area that is worth exploring in its own right. (Check out this post for a route in this area). However, during this ultra trail, you won’t see much of Chiang Mai’s outskirts as you will be running it at night. You will run on fun single tracks making your way to a first village where you briefly run on the road before you start making the first big climb.

You will approach Doi Mon Long from the Eastern side, following a double-track farm road. Just a heads up, if you do this route at any time other than the hot season, prepare to get your feet wet! Right after you get on the farm road you will have to cross a small stream, with no way of getting around it. The farm road keeps climbing, but as the sun starts to rise, amazing sunrise vista’s will be the reward for your effort. This first climb is no joke, as you will cover about one-third of the total elevation as you make your way to Doi Mon Long peak. The peak is a great place to take a short rest and refuel. Because if the weather is clear, expect some epic views here!

Then it is time to start descending and make your way through the forest along a technical single-track downhill section. This fun downhill trail later joins a double-track road that will take you all the way down into the valley. This is where you cross the road and enter the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens. Be careful at the road, as there can be quite a bit of traffic. We had the luck of having some running buddies standing by with a drop bag at the parking. But if you want to go completely unassisted you could also rely on the small coffee shop at the entrance for some fuel.

We smiled friendly (behind our face covers), and asked politely in Thai if we had to pay an entrance fee to run through the gardens and we didn’t have to. Not sure if this always works, so be aware that you may possibly have to pay an entrance fee. The part in the botanical gardens is probably the least exciting part of the route. You will run along the main asphalt road for a couple of kilometers before you head onto some greener side paths. Most of this is paved though. Nonetheless, seeing the amazed faces of other visitors can be quite funny.

At the far end of the gardens, after another good amount of climbing, you will arrive at Mae Sa Mai village. This is another place where you can refuel. And we would highly recommend doing so because some intense climbs are waiting for you. After the village, you will do a section of this trail loop. But instead of descending to the lake, you will stay on the mountain and make your way to Khun Chang Khian Village. This well-known Hmong village is the perfect place for another fuel stop. Afterward, you will make the final climb and you are basically on the home stretch.

From Khun Chang Khian Village you will head towards the amazing viewpoint at Doi Hua Moo, near the Doi Pui Peak. It is probably the steepest and most technical climb of the route. But the views are more than enough of a reward. At the viewpoint, you have basically covered all of the elevation. This may sound like good news, but in reality, it is not. It means that from now on, for more than 10 kilometers you will be running downhill. Luckily the views remain spectacular as you make your way through the forest and later along farming roads. You will end up in Hang Don District, just a little bit down the road from Flora Creek Hotel.

As this was our first ultra, and we were not sure what to expect, we decided to book a room there. Looking back, it was not really a necessity, but it was a nice reward nonetheless.

Tips for this trail

This Chiang Mai Ultra Challenge Route runs straight trough the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Make sure to always check the guidelines and regulations, as sometimes the park (or some sections) may be closed. The park’s Facebook page has the latest info (altough usually only in Thai).
Start early, as the route may take longer than expected.
The areas you cross are remote, and not everyone may understand English. If you don’t speak a decent amount of Thai, we strongly suggest going with someone who does.
Take the wether into account. If you do this route during the cool season, temperatures may be cooler than you would expect. It is probably best to avoid this route during the rainy season. Some parts of the trails may be subject to flash floods. During the rainy season the National park is also usually closed.

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